We’ve all been there. You’re in a quiet place, minding your own business, when suddenly…ACHOO! Everyone around you turns to look, and you die a little inside. Sneezing loudly can be embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to be.
With a little practice, you can learn how to sneeze quietly and with dignity. Here are some tips on how to make your sneezes a little less disruptive.
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Use a tissue
This may seem like common sense, but using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze can help muffle the sound considerably. It’s also more hygienic than sneezing into your hands, which can spread germs.
Lean forward
When you feel a sneeze coming on, lean forward slightly and tuck your chin down towards your chest. This will help prevent the escape of air through your nose and mouth, making your sneeze quieter.
Open your mouth
It may seem counterintuitive, but sneezing with your mouth open rather than closed can actually help reduce the noise of your sneeze. This is because when you keep your mouth shut, the air has nowhere to go but out through your nose, which amplifies the sound.
Pinch your nose
Pinching your nose shut when you sneeze can also help to contain the sound. Be careful not to pinch too hard, though, as this can be painful.
Try not to sneeze too hard
Sneezing with as much force as possible might feel satisfying, but it’s also one of the most surefire ways to make a loud noise. If you can, try to sneeze gently for a quieter result.
With a little bit of practice, you can learn to sneeze quietly and with dignity. So the next time you feel a sneeze coming on, remember these tips and spare yourself (and those around you) the embarrassment of a loud, disruptive sneeze.
Hold your breath
Taking a deep breath in before you sneeze and holding it for a moment can help to muffle the sound of your sneeze. This is because the air has nowhere to go but out through your nose, which amplifies the sound.
Try not to sniffle beforehand
If you can help it, try not to sniffle too much before you sneeze. Sniffling creates a build-up of pressure in your nose that can make your sneeze louder.
Keep your mouth closed
This may seem like common sense, but keeping your mouth closed when you sneeze can help to muffle the noise. This is because the air has nowhere to go but out through your nose, which amplifies the sound.
Touch The Roof Of Your Mouth With Your Tongue
One way to prevent a loud sneeze is to touch the roof of your mouth with your tongue before you sneeze. This will help to close off your throat so that less air escapes.
Breathe out slowly
Sneezing is often preceded by a deep breath in. Try to let this breath out slowly instead of sneezing. This will help to muffle the sound of your sneeze.
Use a paper cup
If you’re in a pinch and need to sneeze quietly, try cupping your hand over your mouth and nose and blowing into it. This will help to muffle the sound of your sneeze.
Clench Your Jaw
Clenching your jaw when you feel a sneeze coming on can help to muffle the noise. This is because the air has nowhere to go but out through your nose, which amplifies the sound.
Cover your mouth and nose with your other hand
If you don’t have a tissue handy, another way to muffle the sound of your sneeze is to cover your mouth and nose with your other hand. This will help to contain the noise.
Turn your head
When you feel a sneeze coming on, turn your head away from the person or people you’re with. This will help to muffle the sound of your sneeze.
Sneeze into your elbow
If you’re in a situation where you can’t use a tissue, another way to muffle the sound of your sneeze is to sneeze into your elbow. This will help to contain the noise.
Why Do We Sneeze?
Sneezing is our body’s way of getting rid of irritants in our nose. When something irritates our nose, the nerves in our nose send a signal to our brain telling us to sneeze.
The brain then sends a signal to the muscles in our chest and abdomen, which contract and release a burst of air through our nose and mouth.
There are a few different things that can cause us to sneeze, including:
Allergens: Things like dust, pollen, and animal dander can cause our nose to itch and trigger a sneeze.
Irritants: Smoke, strong smells, and even bright light can irritate the nerves in our nose and cause us to sneeze.
Infections: A cold, the flu, or other respiratory infections can cause us to sneeze as our body tries to get rid of the virus.
What Makes Sneeze So Noisy?
When we sneeze, the air that is released from our lungs escapes through our nose and mouth at a high speed.
This high-speed airflow creates turbulence, which causes the soft tissue in our nose and throat to vibrate.
It’s this vibration that makes the characteristic “ah-choo!” sound of a sneeze.
How Can I Stop My Sneezing?
There are a few things you can do to stop your sneezing, including:
Avoiding irritants: If you know what triggers your sneezes, try to avoid those things as much as possible. This can help to lessen the frequency of your sneezes.
Using a tissue: When you feel a sneeze coming on, grab a tissue and hold it over your nose and mouth. This will help to catch the sneeze and keep the germs from spreading.
Washing your hands: Be sure to wash your hands often, especially after you sneeze. This will help to get rid of any germs that you may have picked up.
In some cases, sneezing may be a sign of a more serious condition. If you’re sneezing constantly or if your sneezes are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, or difficulty breathing, it’s important to see a doctor.
These could be signs of a more serious condition, such as allergies, asthma, or a respiratory infection.
Can Stopping Sneezes Be Dangerous?
Yes, it is possible to stop a sneeze by holding your nose and mouth shut while you sneeze. However, this can be dangerous and is not recommended.
When we sneeze, the air pressure in our nose and chest increases. If we try to hold our nose and mouth shut while we sneeze, that air pressure can build up and cause our eardrums to burst.
Additionally, holding our breath while we sneeze can cause us to faint or pass out due to the lack of oxygen. So, it’s best to just let that sneeze happen!
Sneezing is a natural reflex that helps to keep our bodies healthy. By understanding what causes sneezing and how we can stop it, we can help to prevent the spread of germs and keep ourselves feeling good.
Conclusion:
With a little bit of practice, you can learn to sneeze quietly and with dignity. So the next time you feel a sneeze coming on, remember these tips and spare yourself (and those around you) the embarrassment of a loud, disruptive sneeze.
